For many of us, our morning routine consists of getting out of bed a little late, rushing through our morning activities, and then commuting to work while still in a haze of sleep. This isn't conducive to getting our brains working in the morning, but author Annie Murphy Paul suggests slowing down our morning routine to help boot your brain and problem solve.

We'd set the alarm a few minutes early and lie awake in bed, following our thoughts where they lead (with a pen and paper nearby to jot down any evanescent inspirations.) We'd stand a little longer under the warm water of the shower, dismissing task-oriented thoughts ("What will I say at that 9 a.m. meeting?") in favor of a few more minutes of mental dilation. We'd take some deep breaths during our commute, instead of succumbing to road rage. And once in the office - after we get that cup of coffee - we'd direct our computer browser not to the news of the day but to the funniest videos the web has to offer.

Provided you can get yourself out of bed a few minutes early, it's a simple practice to implement and the idea of starting your work day with a stupid video on the internet is a sure-fire way to kick off your morning with a smile if nothing else.